It is widely rumored in the market that the price of this new product may be as high as 3000 dollars. It is the most expensive consumer-grade MR device known at present and the most expensive wearable device in Apple's history.
Apple MR headset simulation diagram (source: network)
MR is the abbreviation of mixed-reality, which is a mixture of AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality). Like VR, MR will also use the head display to occupy the user's entire field of vision.
Apple CEO Cook had previously predicted that AR could be used to enhance dialogue. This technology is "critical" to Apple's future, and MR devices will provide consumers with both AR and VR functions.
Cook pointed out that Apple's first MR headset will have both AR and VR functions, and its camera will be able to transmit real-world video through the sun visor and display it to users, in addition to independent computing power and storage capacity.
Although the game can be played in AR and VR environments, for high-performance games with top images, mixed reality is what consumers want.
Apple's R&D goal is to "get mixed reality experience in high-quality VR games", that is, to realize MR experience by using high-performance chips and high-end monitors.
Wall Street's previous article mentioned that you need a pair of glasses to enter the metauniverse.
This is a pair of glasses for realizing virtual reality (VR) conceived by the science fiction writer Stanley Weinbaum in the novel "Pygmalion's Glasses" in 1935.
20 16 is called "the first year of VR". Sony entered the VR market and released PlayStation VR helmet. Players will feel immersive when playing games with helmets, and special effects and surround sound effects seem to have really entered the game world.
For MR devices with both AR and VR functions, it is obviously more attractive than VR devices.
Guo Ming Xi, an analyst at TF Securities, predicts that Mr will be the next key technology to define the innovative human-computer interface of electronic products, which is why Apple is highly committed to MR. ..
Nomura also said in the research report that Apple's first MR headset is a landmark "iconic" product.
Nomura believes that this MR headset is not a simple combination of iPhone and Apple Watch, but will be as powerful as a Mac computer and may even become the next generation iPhone.
Apple MR headset simulation diagram (source: network)
Nomura predicts that the price of Apple's first MR headset will be close to the high-end iPhone.
As for the reasons for the high price, Nomura analyzed that, first of all, magnetic resonance equipment uses miniature organic light-emitting diode displays and flat lenses. Second, Apple's long-term component development costs and investment costs are high, and its depreciation fixed costs are also relatively high. Third, frequent design changes will increase the burden of its cost structure.
As we all know, Apple has been working on developing MR headphones for many years. Since 20 10, it has continuously acquired VR and AR-related technologies and enterprises, including a German AR company named Metaio and the technology patent of 17 1.
Guo Ming announced last week that the first MR headset is expected to be launched in mid-2022, because Apple has already announced M 1 Pro and M 1 Max chips.
Guo Ming said that this new product will provide image penetration AR experience and VR experience through Sony's micro organic light-emitting diode display and several optical modules.
In addition, this MR headset has higher added value to EMS (system integration and assembly), and may be exclusively manufactured by Heshuo (exclusive EMS).
Supply Chain Analysis of Apple MR Headphones